Many of us who have “worry rooms” have another room, just across the hall - it is called “the hopeless room”. There we have our issues piled up on the shelf. These are things that, from where you stand, seem impossible. Frankly, these things have been in this room for a long time. Statistically speaking, the chance of any change, seems unrealistic.

 I have sat in this room of hopelessness many times over my life. Watching my mom die was a long, cruel process.  As a pastor’s wife, there have been things that happen that can leave me feeling hopeless. Being confronted by an endless stream of human needs that presents itself to us, also through our ministry, can overwhelm me at times.

 Many times, I sat in that room overwhelmed with sorrow and fear nibbling at my heart and my mind. I had so many “what if” questions, none of which did anything to address the hopelessness that gripped my heart.

 In the grip of hopelessness, we all have different thoughts that plague us. One common thing is that we have forgotten what Jesus said in Matthew 19:26. “Jesus looked at them intently and said ‘Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.’”

 We may have even memorized that verse, but somewhere in our minds there are whispering thoughts that say, “I believe this is true for others, but not in this circumstance.” It is especially easy to find ourselves in this position when whatever we face has been dragging on for a long time.

 Today, I want to say to you, that in the room of hopelessness, our Lord looks intently at you and says the same thing. “ Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible”.

 He sees your suffering and knows the anguish that grips you today.

 As I sat in this hopeless room a while ago, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me and reminded me that all of His promises are still true. He said also, very clearly, “Do not put your trust in people; look beyond to Me. Truly with Me, nothing is impossible.”

 Dear Father,

 Come, lift up our heads, and soothe our fears. Replace the hopelessness that grips us today with faith that moves mountains. Thank you for loving me and seeing me in this moment.

 In Jesus Name

 Amen